Friday, September 14, 2007

1992 Computer brings jellyfish to 'life'

Computer brings jellyfish to 'life'

19 September 1992

From New Scientist Print Edition.

This image of a jellyfish began as a single 'cell' in a computer and was 'brought to life' with the help of neural networks - computers that mimic the way the brain works - and genetic algorithms, computer programs that can simulate the way that life forms reproduce.

Michael Grey and Randolph Huff, artists based in New York whose work is now on display at the Lisson Gallery in London, construct their unique works of art by writing computer programs for neural networks. These allow artificial 'life forms', to evolve 'naturally'. However, the artists also intervene to push evolution in particular directions. 'We are playing Darwin, but we determine the degree of fitness required for survival,' says Huff. mpany,